2022 story/dlc predictions

Tommy_The_Gun

https://en.m.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Chapters

Volcano - Morrowind (VRD)
Glacier - Summerset (SUM)
Mesa - Elsweyr (ELS)
Scarp - Greymoor (SKR)
Badlands - Blackwood (BAD)
Dune - Update 34/Q2 2022 (SYS/HI)

Those are code names for each chapter / year long story and apparently the code name for next story is "Dune".

We also know that it may have Akatosh theme.

Other thing is an interview with Rich Lambert and he hinted that next year we are going somewhere no one is expecting.

Code name "Dune" could indicate that it may be some kind of desert area (maybe between Alik'r Desert & Hew's Bane). So it could be Redguard themed or something like that.

Akatosh is a dragon god of time so it could mean even a time travel to be involved. Maybe Cyrodiil as a different PvE zone that is basically from a different time line (not a replacement for current PvP area).

Personally I would like a story that does not involve saving the world (again ?!)
That is why I think, so far Murkmire had a best story so far and in fact is one of the best zone in the game. Because it was something different. When I played it, I felt the same thing I felt when I played TES III Morrowind - that I explore strange new alien looking world with huge mushrooms. Murkmire managed to give very similar impression.

I was very disappointed with Blackwood, as I expected it to have similar vibe & thick specific atmosphere as Murkmire had.

I kinda hope that at some point we will get entire Black Marsh as it has a potential to replicate the awesome experienc that Murkmire gave us.

Sinking_Otter

Tommy_The_Gun wrote: »

https://en.m.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Chapters

Volcano - Morrowind (VRD)
Glacier - Summerset (SUM)
Mesa - Elsweyr (ELS)
Scarp - Greymoor (SKR)
Badlands - Blackwood (BAD)
Dune - Update 34/Q2 2022 (SYS/HI)

Those are code names for each chapter / year long story and apparently the code name for next story is "Dune".

We also know that it may have Akatosh theme.

Other thing is an interview with Rich Lambert and he hinted that next year we are going somewhere no one is expecting.

Code name "Dune" could indicate that it may be some kind of desert area (maybe between Alik'r Desert & Hew's Bane). So it could be Redguard themed or something like that.

Akatosh is a dragon god of time so it could mean even a time travel to be involved. Maybe Cyrodiil as a different PvE zone that is basically from a different time line (not a replacement for current PvP area).

Personally I would like a story that does not involve saving the world (again ?!)
That is why I think, so far Murkmire had a best story so far and in fact is one of the best zone in the game. Because it was something different. When I played it, I felt the same thing I felt when I played TES III Morrowind - that I explore strange new alien looking world with huge mushrooms. Murkmire managed to give very similar impression.

I was very disappointed with Blackwood, as I expected it to have similar vibe & thick specific atmosphere as Murkmire had.

I kinda hope that at some point we will get entire Black Marsh as it has a potential to replicate the awesome experienc that Murkmire gave us.

I don't it think it will be Tamriel if its meant to be unexpected. I've seen a lot of people take the Dune part and say Hammerfell, but that's really obvious. So are places like Skingard that have been brought up in DLCs before and people keep referring back to. The question is what is an area that is unexpected that would fit. It could be a completely original area never brought up in lore before or they've done some digging and found an area worth exploring that's never been mentioned much. Maybe the SYS/HI bit could refer to The Systres and some secondary area?

xgoku1

Sinking_Otter wrote: »

xgoku1 wrote: »

We already have the clues from the codenames Dune and SYS/HI, someone who's done the quests for Deadlands and Blackwood could chime in with the clue from the end of the story

I have finished the DLC and I think it has given some hints to where we may end up going. If these hints are actually hints it does make a bunch of peoples theories useless and potentially supports a few others.

Lyranth is the only one to give a hint. When you go to find her after she steals the Ambition's power and ask where she is headed, she says:

"Where I walk next, no mortal has ever even ventured. Possibly no Daedra, either, for that matter."

When asked why she says:

"To Fulfill a promise made a long, long time ago"

So the question is, where is a place that fits the Dune and SYS/HI codenames that mortal haven't been and Daedra rarely go. Maybe Aetherius? Could a Daedra or some other being be causing issues for the Daedra, and if so, which Daedric Price would want to? Meridia maybe, or perhaps Azura, Hermas Mora or Peryite for the dragon v dragon connection?

Oh interesting. That seems more in line with Rich Lambert's media interview where he said we're going somewhere noone is expecting.

No mortal has ever ventured might be a clue towards a non-Tamrielic zone.

No Daedra has ventured is interesting, surely it doesn't mean the Daedric planes, there is only one instance in lore IIRC about Daedra in Aetherius (its from Daggerfall though)

I don't think other wild planes like Lyg are going to be covered by ESO.

Maybe an Aedric plane linked to Akatosh?

Tenthirty2

Sinking_Otter wrote: »

I think Meridia is a strong contender. She has popped up a lot in the expansions and DLC after Summerset (Her temple is Western Skyrim, Gabrielle in Western Skyrim, the side question in Southern Elsweyr) so it could be leading to her being involved in a future expansion or DLC. Plus I know a few people want to get back to her for what happened with Darien Gautier (maybe he could become a companion or house guest exclusive to completing whatever quest line he's tied to?)

It's likely that Aetherius or Akatosh will be involved to some degree, given the datamined pet for the next year long event. Maybe Meridia and Akatosh collide in some way or the pet is unrelated to next years story?

They also mentioned the possibility of companion romance in the future, something along the lines of companion romance in SWTOR. I wonder if they'll bring that in along with new companions, if there are any included with next years story. I know a lot of people really like characters like Naryu, Raz, Fennorian and Darien, so if they use the year long storylines to make these characters companions (and Maybe romances) I think people would be happy, especially if they introduce new characters along side them. I think its time to introduce newer characters rather than bringing back some of the same faces with every new chapter/dlc. Give Stibbons a vacation!

Darien's ending was the one that hit my heart the most tbh.
Also legit bummed we never got to go get that drink together:(

MaisonNaevius

Q2: Somewhere in Hammerfell
Q4: The unknown area

Luke_Flamesword

Hmm, Rich said that it will be place noone expected, also Lyranth said about place where no mortal or even dremora explored, so I guess it will be outside Nirn. It can be something completely new to the lore like Fargrave, so it explains Rich's words - noone expect place non existing in lore until release of next chapter

SYS/HI part shows that it can be in two places at one time, so chapter can be divided into two maps - for example one in Tamriel (Hammerfell?) and some new, outer realm where we travel from first map (by some portal or something). I guess that some Hammerfell desert (Dune!) will be too boring, so they will make smaller map with some fancy, cosmic realm. Fargrave uses desert architecture for a reason, probably they started making some assets to have time for 2 completely different zones with different assets.

Slyclone

Just look up. And you will see.... Mirri sometimes looks up to the sky.

Fargrave has a very pretty sky.

Wolf_Eye

Slyclone wrote: »

Just look up. And you will see.... Mirri sometimes looks up to the sky.

Fargrave has a very pretty sky.

Oooh I know! Next chapter we're going to the gosh darned MOONS!

MaisonNaevius

Luke_Flamesword wrote: »

Lyranth said about place where no mortal or even dremora explored

Lyris had spoken of Skingrad. We never had Skingrad.

Wolf_Eye

MaisonNaevius wrote: »

Luke_Flamesword wrote: »

Lyranth said about place where no mortal or even dremora explored

Lyris had spoken of Skingrad. We never had Skingrad.

? But isn't there a city in Skingrad? People live in Skingrad, so it doesn't fit what Lyranth says is a "place where no mortal explored"

TX12001rwb17_ESO

Sinking_Otter wrote: »

xgoku1 wrote: »

We already have the clues from the codenames Dune and SYS/HI, someone who's done the quests for Deadlands and Blackwood could chime in with the clue from the end of the story

I have finished the DLC and I think it has given some hints to where we may end up going. If these hints are actually hints it does make a bunch of peoples theories useless and potentially supports a few others.

Lyranth is the only one to give a hint. When you go to find her after she steals the Ambition's power and ask where she is headed, she says:

"Where I walk next, no mortal has ever even ventured. Possibly no Daedra, either, for that matter."

When asked why she says:

"To Fulfill a promise made a long, long time ago"

So the question is, where is a place that fits the Dune and SYS/HI codenames that mortal haven't been and Daedra rarely go. Maybe Aetherius? Could a Daedra or some other being be causing issues for the Daedra, and if so, which Daedric Price would want to? Meridia maybe, or perhaps Azura, Hermas Mora or Peryite for the dragon v dragon connection?

And watch that place be filled with NPCs of all sorts including Bankers, Merchants, Guild Vendors, a Mage's Guild, a Fighter's Guild and an outlaw Refuge oh and they all trade in Gold for some reason

Sinking_Otter

MaisonNaevius wrote: »

Luke_Flamesword wrote: »

Lyranth said about place where no mortal or even dremora explored

Lyris had spoken of Skingrad. We never had Skingrad.

We didn't end up heading to Skingrad but we did still go somewhere in Cyrodill. I think its fair to say that we could end up with a similar situation where we're headed somewhere close to or similar to what is hinted.

xgoku1 wrote: »

Sinking_Otter wrote: »

xgoku1 wrote: »

We already have the clues from the codenames Dune and SYS/HI, someone who's done the quests for Deadlands and Blackwood could chime in with the clue from the end of the story

I have finished the DLC and I think it has given some hints to where we may end up going. If these hints are actually hints it does make a bunch of peoples theories useless and potentially supports a few others.

Lyranth is the only one to give a hint. When you go to find her after she steals the Ambition's power and ask where she is headed, she says:

"Where I walk next, no mortal has ever even ventured. Possibly no Daedra, either, for that matter."

When asked why she says:

"To Fulfill a promise made a long, long time ago"

So the question is, where is a place that fits the Dune and SYS/HI codenames that mortal haven't been and Daedra rarely go. Maybe Aetherius? Could a Daedra or some other being be causing issues for the Daedra, and if so, which Daedric Price would want to? Meridia maybe, or perhaps Azura, Hermas Mora or Peryite for the dragon v dragon connection?

Oh interesting. That seems more in line with Rich Lambert's media interview where he said we're going somewhere noone is expecting.

No mortal has ever ventured might be a clue towards a non-Tamrielic zone.

No Daedra has ventured is interesting, surely it doesn't mean the Daedric planes, there is only one instance in lore IIRC about Daedra in Aetherius (its from Daggerfall though)

I don't think other wild planes like Lyg are going to be covered by ESO.

Maybe an Aedric plane linked to Akatosh?

An entirely original plane linked to Akatosh would be cool. Maybe it could be split like the Deadland and Fargrave are? Would explain why the name is split in SYS/HI, being that it two separate locations liked by some kind of portal. Also would add to the unexpected part. Not many would guess we're getting two places rather than just one.

xgoku1

Sinking_Otter wrote: »

MaisonNaevius wrote: »

Luke_Flamesword wrote: »

Lyranth said about place where no mortal or even dremora explored

Lyris had spoken of Skingrad. We never had Skingrad.

We didn't end up heading to Skingrad but we did still go somewhere in Cyrodill. I think its fair to say that we could end up with a similar situation where we're headed somewhere close to or similar to what is hinted.

xgoku1 wrote: »

Sinking_Otter wrote: »

xgoku1 wrote: »

We already have the clues from the codenames Dune and SYS/HI, someone who's done the quests for Deadlands and Blackwood could chime in with the clue from the end of the story

I have finished the DLC and I think it has given some hints to where we may end up going. If these hints are actually hints it does make a bunch of peoples theories useless and potentially supports a few others.

Lyranth is the only one to give a hint. When you go to find her after she steals the Ambition's power and ask where she is headed, she says:

"Where I walk next, no mortal has ever even ventured. Possibly no Daedra, either, for that matter."

When asked why she says:

"To Fulfill a promise made a long, long time ago"

So the question is, where is a place that fits the Dune and SYS/HI codenames that mortal haven't been and Daedra rarely go. Maybe Aetherius? Could a Daedra or some other being be causing issues for the Daedra, and if so, which Daedric Price would want to? Meridia maybe, or perhaps Azura, Hermas Mora or Peryite for the dragon v dragon connection?

Oh interesting. That seems more in line with Rich Lambert's media interview where he said we're going somewhere noone is expecting.

No mortal has ever ventured might be a clue towards a non-Tamrielic zone.

No Daedra has ventured is interesting, surely it doesn't mean the Daedric planes, there is only one instance in lore IIRC about Daedra in Aetherius (its from Daggerfall though)

I don't think other wild planes like Lyg are going to be covered by ESO.

Maybe an Aedric plane linked to Akatosh?

An entirely original plane linked to Akatosh would be cool. Maybe it could be split like the Deadland and Fargrave are? Would explain why the name is split in SYS/HI, being that it two separate locations liked by some kind of portal. Also would add to the unexpected part. Not many would guess we're getting two places rather than just one.

Yes, having a split Zone like that would fit the "/". Perhaps it's a desert related base zone and the HI could be a previously unknown (Aetherial) realm.

TX12001rwb17_ESO wrote: »

And watch that place be filled with NPCs of all sorts including Bankers, Merchants, Guild Vendors, a Mage's Guild, a Fighter's Guild and an outlaw Refuge oh and they all trade in Gold for some reason

So you could put all the required NPCs in the base SYS area (similar to how Fargrave works, with no amenities in the Deadlands).

The SYS/HI nomenclature either means:
1. HI is an alternate name for SYS (unlikely)
2. OR notation where both are zones.

The only precedent we have is Greymoor (which had codename SKR) which had a split Zone but it wasn't really a distinct realm per se, just the caverns under Western Skyrim.

We have the Systres Islands as a lead that fits the SYS code, it's also desert-y, but it is also a fairly small set of islands according to previous maps. So a split Zone could work.

MaisonNaevius

I think we will have something similar at Greymoor. One area of Tamriel and one special area. Hammerfell seems logical in the continuity.
The Q4 DLC will certainly be an exclusive focus on the special area.

As far as Skingrad is concerned, I still haven't digested Lyris' lie. It's the city I expect the most since I arrived in 2017. A lot of patience for nothing. I was coming out of a cruel year in a personal capacity, the announcement of Skingrad sounded like good news heading towards a fantastic year making me forget 2020.
It's very cruel to announce a capital city so as not to have it the following year. Especially since the first time it happens, it falls on Skingrad.

In all fairness, I think Zos should revisit their annual formula. Elsweyr has been very good. Greymoor has been a mess and a copy paste of Elsweyr. Blackwood was interesting (although I hate him because it had to be Colovia's year for me).
But the formula does not seem to please because it is repetitive in practice. And such a formula that requires something mystical menace doesn't seem to fit a scenario similar to Orsinium.

I think they should upgrade to two major regions per year. Two regions with independent and therefore unrelated histories.
Especially if the regions of Tamriel are away for a year, which I can't stand until the map is completed. I am waiting for Colovia, as others are waiting for central Elsweyr, Telvanni peninsula, Whiterun, ...

I feel that Blackwood is the resumption of the loop started with IC DLC. Mixing Nibenese and Daedras in a plot set against a backdrop of Daedric invasion provoked by politics. The logical continuation would be Hammerfell (and many always suspected that redguard would be iminent) in reference to TG. Then DB for Colovia. Next is Morrowind, Elsweyr, Skyrim ..

Wolf_Eye

xgoku1 wrote: »

Sinking_Otter wrote: »

MaisonNaevius wrote: »

Luke_Flamesword wrote: »

Lyranth said about place where no mortal or even dremora explored

Lyris had spoken of Skingrad. We never had Skingrad.

We didn't end up heading to Skingrad but we did still go somewhere in Cyrodill. I think its fair to say that we could end up with a similar situation where we're headed somewhere close to or similar to what is hinted.

xgoku1 wrote: »

Sinking_Otter wrote: »

xgoku1 wrote: »

We already have the clues from the codenames Dune and SYS/HI, someone who's done the quests for Deadlands and Blackwood could chime in with the clue from the end of the story

I have finished the DLC and I think it has given some hints to where we may end up going. If these hints are actually hints it does make a bunch of peoples theories useless and potentially supports a few others.

Lyranth is the only one to give a hint. When you go to find her after she steals the Ambition's power and ask where she is headed, she says:

"Where I walk next, no mortal has ever even ventured. Possibly no Daedra, either, for that matter."

When asked why she says:

"To Fulfill a promise made a long, long time ago"

So the question is, where is a place that fits the Dune and SYS/HI codenames that mortal haven't been and Daedra rarely go. Maybe Aetherius? Could a Daedra or some other being be causing issues for the Daedra, and if so, which Daedric Price would want to? Meridia maybe, or perhaps Azura, Hermas Mora or Peryite for the dragon v dragon connection?

Oh interesting. That seems more in line with Rich Lambert's media interview where he said we're going somewhere noone is expecting.

No mortal has ever ventured might be a clue towards a non-Tamrielic zone.

No Daedra has ventured is interesting, surely it doesn't mean the Daedric planes, there is only one instance in lore IIRC about Daedra in Aetherius (its from Daggerfall though)

I don't think other wild planes like Lyg are going to be covered by ESO.

Maybe an Aedric plane linked to Akatosh?

An entirely original plane linked to Akatosh would be cool. Maybe it could be split like the Deadland and Fargrave are? Would explain why the name is split in SYS/HI, being that it two separate locations liked by some kind of portal. Also would add to the unexpected part. Not many would guess we're getting two places rather than just one.

Yes, having a split Zone like that would fit the "/". Perhaps it's a desert related base zone and the HI could be a previously unknown (Aetherial) realm.

TX12001rwb17_ESO wrote: »

And watch that place be filled with NPCs of all sorts including Bankers, Merchants, Guild Vendors, a Mage's Guild, a Fighter's Guild and an outlaw Refuge oh and they all trade in Gold for some reason

So you could put all the required NPCs in the base SYS area (similar to how Fargrave works, with no amenities in the Deadlands).

The SYS/HI nomenclature either means:
1. HI is an alternate name for SYS (unlikely)
2. OR notation where both are zones.

The only precedent we have is Greymoor (which had codename SKR) which had a split Zone but it wasn't really a distinct realm per se, just the caverns under Western Skyrim.

We have the Systres Islands as a lead that fits the SYS code, it's also desert-y, but it is also a fairly small set of islands according to previous maps. So a split Zone could work.

Yeah the SYS for Systres. And the HI for High Rock? Or possibly a High Rock province out in the ocean? We do have that Ancient Breton style that exists in game but strangely has not been released yet (for players to obtain).

Does anyone live on the Systres?

xgoku1

Wolf_Eye wrote: »

xgoku1 wrote: »

Sinking_Otter wrote: »

MaisonNaevius wrote: »

Luke_Flamesword wrote: »

Lyranth said about place where no mortal or even dremora explored

Lyris had spoken of Skingrad. We never had Skingrad.

We didn't end up heading to Skingrad but we did still go somewhere in Cyrodill. I think its fair to say that we could end up with a similar situation where we're headed somewhere close to or similar to what is hinted.

xgoku1 wrote: »

Sinking_Otter wrote: »

xgoku1 wrote: »

We already have the clues from the codenames Dune and SYS/HI, someone who's done the quests for Deadlands and Blackwood could chime in with the clue from the end of the story

I have finished the DLC and I think it has given some hints to where we may end up going. If these hints are actually hints it does make a bunch of peoples theories useless and potentially supports a few others.

Lyranth is the only one to give a hint. When you go to find her after she steals the Ambition's power and ask where she is headed, she says:

"Where I walk next, no mortal has ever even ventured. Possibly no Daedra, either, for that matter."

When asked why she says:

"To Fulfill a promise made a long, long time ago"

So the question is, where is a place that fits the Dune and SYS/HI codenames that mortal haven't been and Daedra rarely go. Maybe Aetherius? Could a Daedra or some other being be causing issues for the Daedra, and if so, which Daedric Price would want to? Meridia maybe, or perhaps Azura, Hermas Mora or Peryite for the dragon v dragon connection?

Oh interesting. That seems more in line with Rich Lambert's media interview where he said we're going somewhere noone is expecting.

No mortal has ever ventured might be a clue towards a non-Tamrielic zone.

No Daedra has ventured is interesting, surely it doesn't mean the Daedric planes, there is only one instance in lore IIRC about Daedra in Aetherius (its from Daggerfall though)

I don't think other wild planes like Lyg are going to be covered by ESO.

Maybe an Aedric plane linked to Akatosh?

An entirely original plane linked to Akatosh would be cool. Maybe it could be split like the Deadland and Fargrave are? Would explain why the name is split in SYS/HI, being that it two separate locations liked by some kind of portal. Also would add to the unexpected part. Not many would guess we're getting two places rather than just one.

Yes, having a split Zone like that would fit the "/". Perhaps it's a desert related base zone and the HI could be a previously unknown (Aetherial) realm.

TX12001rwb17_ESO wrote: »

And watch that place be filled with NPCs of all sorts including Bankers, Merchants, Guild Vendors, a Mage's Guild, a Fighter's Guild and an outlaw Refuge oh and they all trade in Gold for some reason

So you could put all the required NPCs in the base SYS area (similar to how Fargrave works, with no amenities in the Deadlands).

The SYS/HI nomenclature either means:
1. HI is an alternate name for SYS (unlikely)
2. OR notation where both are zones.

The only precedent we have is Greymoor (which had codename SKR) which had a split Zone but it wasn't really a distinct realm per se, just the caverns under Western Skyrim.

We have the Systres Islands as a lead that fits the SYS code, it's also desert-y, but it is also a fairly small set of islands according to previous maps. So a split Zone could work.

Yeah the SYS for Systres. And the HI for High Rock? Or possibly a High Rock province out in the ocean?

Does anyone live on the Systres?

Think it's safe to assume most of Tamriel has been ventured to by mortals. We don't really know anything about Systres apart from its geographic location based on the map from a TES:Redguard loading screen

RedBranch

I’m mostly hoping they move away from these year-long releases. I’d rather get DLCs like Murkmire, Wrothgar and then a chapter release with a new skill line, race, class etc… would love more variety throughout the year.

prof-dracko

xgoku1 wrote: »

Sinking_Otter wrote: »

MaisonNaevius wrote: »

Luke_Flamesword wrote: »

Lyranth said about place where no mortal or even dremora explored

Lyris had spoken of Skingrad. We never had Skingrad.

We didn't end up heading to Skingrad but we did still go somewhere in Cyrodill. I think its fair to say that we could end up with a similar situation where we're headed somewhere close to or similar to what is hinted.

xgoku1 wrote: »

Sinking_Otter wrote: »

xgoku1 wrote: »

We already have the clues from the codenames Dune and SYS/HI, someone who's done the quests for Deadlands and Blackwood could chime in with the clue from the end of the story

I have finished the DLC and I think it has given some hints to where we may end up going. If these hints are actually hints it does make a bunch of peoples theories useless and potentially supports a few others.

Lyranth is the only one to give a hint. When you go to find her after she steals the Ambition's power and ask where she is headed, she says:

"Where I walk next, no mortal has ever even ventured. Possibly no Daedra, either, for that matter."

When asked why she says:

"To Fulfill a promise made a long, long time ago"

So the question is, where is a place that fits the Dune and SYS/HI codenames that mortal haven't been and Daedra rarely go. Maybe Aetherius? Could a Daedra or some other being be causing issues for the Daedra, and if so, which Daedric Price would want to? Meridia maybe, or perhaps Azura, Hermas Mora or Peryite for the dragon v dragon connection?

Oh interesting. That seems more in line with Rich Lambert's media interview where he said we're going somewhere noone is expecting.

No mortal has ever ventured might be a clue towards a non-Tamrielic zone.

No Daedra has ventured is interesting, surely it doesn't mean the Daedric planes, there is only one instance in lore IIRC about Daedra in Aetherius (its from Daggerfall though)

I don't think other wild planes like Lyg are going to be covered by ESO.

Maybe an Aedric plane linked to Akatosh?

An entirely original plane linked to Akatosh would be cool. Maybe it could be split like the Deadland and Fargrave are? Would explain why the name is split in SYS/HI, being that it two separate locations liked by some kind of portal. Also would add to the unexpected part. Not many would guess we're getting two places rather than just one.

Yes, having a split Zone like that would fit the "/". Perhaps it's a desert related base zone and the HI could be a previously unknown (Aetherial) realm.

TX12001rwb17_ESO wrote: »

And watch that place be filled with NPCs of all sorts including Bankers, Merchants, Guild Vendors, a Mage's Guild, a Fighter's Guild and an outlaw Refuge oh and they all trade in Gold for some reason

So you could put all the required NPCs in the base SYS area (similar to how Fargrave works, with no amenities in the Deadlands).

The SYS/HI nomenclature either means:
1. HI is an alternate name for SYS (unlikely)
2. OR notation where both are zones.

The only precedent we have is Greymoor (which had codename SKR) which had a split Zone but it wasn't really a distinct realm per se, just the caverns under Western Skyrim.

We have the Systres Islands as a lead that fits the SYS code, it's also desert-y, but it is also a fairly small set of islands according to previous maps. So a split Zone could work.

HI for Hammerfell Islands? Maybe we'll get to explore a whole chain of small atolls and such? That'd be neat, but the slaughter fish might be a problem. Maybe they'll introduce the true Sload to go along with the Sea Sload in Summerset?

James-Wayne

We know ZOS always tests content in small amounts before producing it in large amounts so Fargrave as the desert is the test, Dune is the chapter. We saw this with the Bone Goliath in Unhallowed Grave and then Dagon this year. Even the skeleton dragon in Fang Lair and full blown dragons in Elsweyr. Happens all the time.

Jamdarius

Predictions for 2022 content: final boss will have invulnerable damage shield with huge HP pool that gets shaved away by some sort of mechanic just to be done 1-3 shot by said mechanic.

Darkstorne

BroughBreaux wrote: »

Nuked. Google Sword-Singing and read the UESP article.

@BroughBreaux well... don't take everything you read in Tamriel (or mostly by MK out-of-game in this case) at direct and face value There are multiple other, far more believable accounts, of what happened to Yokuda written in the games:

Hunding devised a plan of seven battles, leading the Armies of Hira further and further into the wilderness to the foot of Hattu, where the final battle could be fought. Hunding called his plan the "Hammer and the Anvil." With each battle Hunding's Singers would further learn his strategies and tactics, grow strong in the use of the Shehai, and be ready to defeat their opponents in the seventh battle. And thus it was, the six first battles were waged, each neither victory or defeat, each leading to the next. The larger armies of Hira following the small army of Hunding. Outnumbered thirty to one, the singers never faltered from the Way. The stage was set: Hira and his army maneuvered to the base of Hattu Mountain, where the hammer blow was delivered. The battle was pitched, and many singers fell that day. Hunding knew that the singers who lived would be few, but Hira and his empire of evil would not live—and so it went.

At the end Hunding and less that twenty thousand singers survived the day, but no army of evil was left to pillage and murder—more than three hundred thousand fell that day on Hattu. Of those who were left to run and live, all were scattered to the four winds, an organized force no more.

The singers packed their lives, folded their tents, mourned their dead, and followed Hunding to the great port city of Arch, in the province of Seawind. There Hunding had a flotilla of ships waiting. The singers left their desert for a new land. No longer welcome in the desert empire, they left to be sung about and spoken of in legend. The final great warrior, the singers of Shehai, the Book of Circles, all leaving that land where their virtue was unappreciated. Red, red with blood they were in the eyes of the gentle citizenry, never mind that they had saved them from a great evil.

The singers vowed to learn new ways as they traveled across the great ocean to their new land. To adopt a new name, but to honor the past. In honor of their final battle, they named their new land Hammerfell and adopted the name Redguards.

In honor to Hunding the great warrior prince, each household in Hammerfell has a place by the hearth, an alcove really, just a niche, big enough to hold the scroll: The Book of Circles.

Not to mention NPCs in TES4's Anvil talking about trade with Yokuda being alive and well. And even if you do believe that an Ansei swung his sword, nuked his continent, ending the war... how do you then survive to sheath that sword, turn to your (somehow miraculously unscathed) allies, and say "Right lads, off to the docks that no longer exist, board our ships that must have been caught in the explosion, and sail off to new horizons!" It's like reading the "one bright day in the middle of the night, two dead boys got up to fight" poem, and taking it literally just because it's been written. We also know, thanks to the Crowns and Forebears, that there were two migrations out of Yokuda to Hammerfell with a significant gap in time, and that the Ansei were the first to migrate. So to believe the continent was nuked and sunk would mean the Crowns just... paddled about in the ocean for a while?

Aramithius also has some great comments about this in his Yokuda episode:

Typically, though, you’ll see one reason given in the community for the sinking of Yokuda: the Pankratosword, a forbidden sword technique. This is obliquely referenced in some of the texts here; the “mistake” in The Ubiquitous Sinking Isle is a sword stroke, and the Warrior celestial in ESO says that “The Shehai of a first rank Ansei sank Yokuda.” The term itself appears in the unlicensed text Vivec’s Sword-Meeting with Cyrus the Restless, and has been taken from there by fans. You’ll see metaphors around nuclear weapons for the Pankratosword too, with stuff from the Sword-Meeting talking about “cutting the Atomos”, which sounds an awful lot like splitting the atom and nuclear fission. It’s not quite that, though; the Atomos is apparently taking the original meaning of the word “atom”. The word means “indivisible”, and there’s reference to the Pankratosword “cutting the uncuttable”. That makes me think that it’s more about weaponising a paradox of reality or something, than it is a direct metaphor for a nuclear weapon. That at least feels more fitting with TES, to me.

emilyhyoyeon

Dune meaning Hammerfell would be awesome for me since I´m really interested in going to Hammerfell. Hew´s Bane is still one of the most amazing areas they´ve ever created imo. But why was Summerset called glacier? That throws me off

Luke_Flamesword

It makes sense - small Systres Islands with city hub, all "mortal" services (like Fargrave now) and portal to some outer, crazy realm where is no place for fighters guild or bankers.

Sinking_Otter

emilyhyoyeon wrote: »

Dune meaning Hammerfell would be awesome for me since I´m really interested in going to Hammerfell. Hew´s Bane is still one of the most amazing areas they´ve ever created imo. But why was Summerset called glacier? That throws me off

Glacier refers to the snow covered mountains in Summerset I believe. Not very clear but kinda makes sense when you think about it.

Unfortunately, I don't think it will be Hammerfell next year. With the code name Dune the natural assumption is Hammerfell, but the creative director Rich Lambert said we'd be headed somewhere unexpected. Because of this I feel like Hammerfell is at the bottom of the list.

James-Wayne wrote: »

We know ZOS always tests content in small amounts before producing it in large amounts so Fargrave as the desert is the test, Dune is the chapter. We saw this with the Bone Goliath in Unhallowed Grave and then Dagon this year. Even the skeleton dragon in Fang Lair and full blown dragons in Elsweyr. Happens all the time.

If they're using Fargrave as a testing ground that might back up the theory we're headed to some kind of Oblivion realm or something similar. Maybe next year will be one zone where the mortals all hang out like Fargrave then the realm itself that you need to use a portal in the city to access? We might be in for something entirely original to ESO which would be neat.

hands0medevil

sadly it doesn't matter, more potentially nice looking but also sooooo casualy easy content, next year looooong story with "epic" boss that dies in seconds...

Supreme_Atromancer

emilyhyoyeon wrote: »

Dune meaning Hammerfell would be awesome for me since I´m really interested in going to Hammerfell. Hew´s Bane is still one of the most amazing areas they´ve ever created imo. But why was Summerset called glacier? That throws me off

Same. But you could say the same thing for "Badlands" being a codeword for Blackwood. Elsweyr certainly has some badlands-type landscapes. Craglorn too. Blackwood absolutely doesn't.

StarOfElyon

Abstraqt wrote: »

What are your story predictions for next year's dlc? Are you expecting to see some more daedric princes or return to somewhere from a past ES game perhaps?

I would guess that we might go to Hammerfell again (since ES VI should be coming soon). It would good to capitalize on the hype.

StarOfElyon

StarOfElyon wrote: »

Abstraqt wrote: »

What are your story predictions for next year's dlc? Are you expecting to see some more daedric princes or return to somewhere from a past ES game perhaps?

I would guess that we might go to Hammerfell again (since ES VI should be coming soon). It would good to capitalize on the hype.

After looking through the thread, I'm seeing predictions of a main area and a special area, and I really don't want that. I want a huge area of Tamriel to explore that isn't split like Elsweyr is (I'd like to be able to walk from zone to zone). Greymoor felt tiny because of how it was divided. Please don't do that this time.

Sinking_Otter

StarOfElyon wrote: »

Abstraqt wrote: »

What are your story predictions for next year's dlc? Are you expecting to see some more daedric princes or return to somewhere from a past ES game perhaps?

I would guess that we might go to Hammerfell again (since ES VI should be coming soon). It would good to capitalize on the hype.

If ESVI is indeed in Hammerfell, and ESO wants to do a tie in of sorts, I don't see it happening until maybe 2023/2024. Starfield is due November 11th (assuming its not delayed which is doubtful) and they'll probably want to focus on that. Plus there is always the risk Starfeld will be delayed into 2022, as we've seen with a lot of games due to COVID.

I could see ESVI coming out in 2022 is Starfield is a huge failure and they wanna rush something out to make up that but if they were aiming for 2023/2024 than it wouldn't be closed to being finished.

xeNNNNN

Tommy_The_Gun wrote: »

https://en.m.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Chapters

Volcano - Morrowind (VRD)
Glacier - Summerset (SUM)
Mesa - Elsweyr (ELS)
Scarp - Greymoor (SKR)
Badlands - Blackwood (BAD)
Dune - Update 34/Q2 2022 (SYS/HI)

Those are code names for each chapter / year long story and apparently the code name for next story is "Dune".

We also know that it may have Akatosh theme.

Other thing is an interview with Rich Lambert and he hinted that next year we are going somewhere no one is expecting.

Code name "Dune" could indicate that it may be some kind of desert area (maybe between Alik'r Desert & Hew's Bane). So it could be Redguard themed or something like that.

Urghhh more sand. I feel like Anakin Skywalker right now, I hate sand.

That said, perhaps the theme of "dune" and the implication of sand is simply them leaning behind some form of hour glass concept (which uses sand) and thus is to do with Akatosh.

Going somewhere no one is expecting seems oddly weird in the sense that well....people are expecting to go somewhere else in tamriel....so I am not sure we're going to somewhere else in Tamriel based on that. Which means we're going somewhere else entirely or we're going back in time to a place that was sandy before but isn't now. Which is also weird.